Local couple to show at Westminster Kennel Club Show

ALLEN — When visitors pull in the driveway of Jason and Sianna Spieth’s country home near Quincy, 24 American English Coonhounds greet them with their distinctive howls.

Upon entering the house, visitors are welcomed by Moonlight’s Most Wanted (nicknamed Oakie), a 3-year-old American English Coonhound.

Sianna said Oakie is spoiled rotten.

Maybe so, but Oakie is one of the top American English Coonhounds in the country. At the recent Eukanuba Dog Show, Oakie was awarded the best male of his breed — just one of several distinctions he has received in show rings over the years.

Jason, Sianna and Oakie are in New York City this weekend and will be taking part in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which begins Monday. This is the second year that Oakie has competed at the show.

Jason said being part of the show last year was very exciting. Last year Oakie won best male of his breed in the first year American English Coonhounds were eligible for competition.

Jason, who has raised coonhounds since the age of 15, leaves the showing up to Sianna and Oakie. Before marrying Jason Sianna showed horses.

She said it is a lot of fun to show Oakie because he has a good personality.

“He is a very good-tempered dog,” she said.

During last year’s Westminster Kennel Club show Oakie got a lot of air time as he and his owners appeared on the "Today Show" and were part of several commercials.

The Spieths' goal for this year’s competition is to win best of breed, allowing them to compete for best of show honors on Tuesday night. Individual breeds will compete Monday.

“If (Oakie) wins best of breed I would pass out right there in the show arena,” Sianna said. “We will be thrilled to win best of group.”

Oakie and the rest of the competitors in the hound group will take to the ring at 1 p.m. Monday. He will be in ring 11; the coverage will be webcast at www.westminsterkennelclub.org. Group coverage will be on CNBC from 8-11 p.m. Monday.

The current top American English Coonhound came from Jason and Sianna. The Spieths are one of a couple of American English Coonhound breeders in the country.

Oakie has won three American Kennel Club group shows and one United Kennel Club honor. He has also been World Champion, won best of show twice and has garnered numerous other awards.

The Spieths are planning on entering Oakie in United Kennel Club hunts this year in hopes he can make Grand Knight status.

The Spieths said none of this would be possible without the help of their sponsors The Archery Shop, Blazer Lights, Lavern and Gearldine Spieth, Steve and Carol Cook and Lauri Cook.